Food security is not simply about having the money to buy food. It is about having the capacity to feed the nation when circumstances beyond our control threaten supplies.
The recent warning by NADMA ahead of the Northeast Monsoon on October 30 prompted a timely reminder from lawyer Nik Elin about food preparedness. People in affected areas were advised to stock up on essential supplies, but not to panic-buy, hoard or spread sensational information that could deprive others of their needs.
It is sensible advice. But beyond the immediate concern about floods and household preparedness lies a much bigger question as to how prepared is Malaysia if food supplies are seriously disrupted?
Around the world, governments are increasingly encouraging their populations to prepare for emergencies. Britain's Be Ready campaign, for instance, advises households to maintain basic supplies of food and water for three days. The European Union has also adopted a broader preparedness strategy covering climate emergencies, technological disruption and geopolitical threats.
These initiatives reflect a changing understanding of national resilience. Modern societies depend on interconnected supply chains, communications, energy and transportation systems. Disruption to any of these can affect the availability and distribution of essential goods.
However, the more fundamental challenge may be the world's ability to continue producing sufficient food.
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